"If We Want To Reduce Suffering, We Need To Recognize Difference"

"Suggesting that people who take issue with the "ease" and "affordability" of white, middle class veganism are somehow "stupid" reflects the unchecked privilege of many vegan advocates. Absolutely, veganism can be done cheaply and safely, but it must be presented in a way that is accessible to everyone, not just people of privilege.

Instead of recognizing structural inequalities and systematic racism and classism, we blame the individual for being lazy, callous, or "stupid." ... If we want to reduce suffering, we need to recognize difference and accommodate."

Any healthful diet requires effort, more so if the foods aren't accessible.

I found this map of food deserts across the US. The actual map on the USDA's site is interactive, so you can zoom in on particular areas.

The green areas designate food deserts, or "Low-income census tracks where a significant number or share of residents is more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket." Someone put a lot of work into this. It reveals just how much of a problem access to healthful food is.

Neat video. They cite that 1 in 2 statistic. It's an incredible statistic (that half of all children in the US receive some form of food assistance) given that we are one of the richest countries in the world.

It would be great if we could make the healthiest option also the default option for everyone. Then, if we wanted to blame an individual for their choices, at least we knew they *had* choices.